Foldable pocket piano keyboard



April 1 0, 1928.

I 1,665,563 A. RAAB FOLDABLE POCKET PIANO KEYBOARD Filed March 1926 J72 am/0!" Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES ALEXANDER RAAB, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

I'OLDABLE POCKET PIANO KEYBOARD.

Application filed March 31, 1926. Serial No. 98,772.

The principal object of this invention is, to enable the player to do his finger exercises at any convenient time and place without the use of a piano.

Another object of this invention is, to have a keyboard, on which any key spacing can be made.

Still another object of this invention is a keyboard which can be folded and conveniently carried in a pocket.

In the accompanying drawing Fig.1 isa top or plan. view of the keyboard.

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation.

Fig. 3 a plan view with the keys arranged on one half of the board.

Fig. 1 shows the front elevation of Fig. 3 with the board about to be tolded.

In constructing a :toldable pocket piano keyboard, in accordance with my invention, I provide a base in the approximate length of a. standard piano octave, which consists of two parts 1 and 2 joined with each other by means of binge 3' and which base is made from any suitable material, preferably from aluminum.

This base is provided with a series 0t holes 3 and 4 into which a plurality of key bases 5 can be inserted.

Key base 5, also made preferably from aluminum, has a support 6, in which a piano key 7 is pivotally mounted. Key base 5 is provided with split spring pins 8 correspondingly spaced with holes 3 and 4t ot the base parts 1 and 2, and by means of which the key bases 5 are secured in the base parts 1 and 2.

Key 7 is constructed in such a manner, that its longer lever 9 can be pressed downward. Short lever 10 of key 7 serves as a stop to prevent the key 7 from swinging above the normal position when released.

Spring 11 conveniently mounted in key base 5 and in key 7 provides the power necessary to bring key 7 back into normal positi on when the pressure on it ceases.

To use the key board after opening the base parts 1 and 2, the key base 5 with key 7 are connected thereto by the split spring pins 8 into the holes 3 and 4 of the base parts 1 and 2.

The spacing of the keys 7 can correspond with a standard piano keyboard. or any other spacing can be made.

To told the keyboard, all key bases 5 are inserted in oneot the base parts 1 or 2 and the remaining empty part is being 'tolded under the one, which contains all of the key bases 5. Hook 12 and pin 13 are used to secure parts 1 and 2 in folded position.

This folded keyboard can be inserted into av suitable container and carried in a pocket.

I claim: I

1. In a device of the character described the combination of a. pair of hinged sections. key bases, keys carried by said bases, and means for detachably connecting said bases to said sections.

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a pair at hinged sections, key bases, keys pivotally mounted in said bases, and means carried by said bases for detachably engaging said sections.

3. In a device of the character described the combination ot a pair of hinged seetiorw,

the combination of a key base having a pair of upstanding ears at one end thereof. a key pivotally mounted in said ears, resilient means interposed between said base and the underside of said key for holding said key in its normal raised position, and means tor detachably connecting said. base to said see tions.

4:. In a device of the character described the combination of a pair ot hinged sections having a plurality ot' openings, key bases adapted to be received in said openings. kt s carried by said bases, and resilient means in terposed between i said keys and bases for holding said keys in their normal raise-d posit-ion.

5. In adevice of the character described the combination of a pair of hinged sections having a plurality o't'. openings. key bare having split pins adapted to he rm'eived in said openings, ears providedon said iases at one end thereof, keys pivotally mounted in. said ears, stop means for limiting the up ward movement of said keys. and sprin -imeans interposed between said has and the underside of said keys for holding said keys in their normal raised position.

ALEXANDER RAAB.

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